Abstract
The current paper examines the functional contributions of the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the evidence that the functioning of these systems is compromised in individuals with psychopathy. The amygdala is critical for the formation of stimulus-reinforcement associations, both punishment and reward based, and the processing of emotional expressions. vmPFC is critical for the representation of reinforcement expectancies and, owing to this, decision making. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging data from individuals with psychopathy are examined. It is concluded that these critical functions of the amygdala and vmPFC, and their interaction, are compromised in individuals with the disorder. It is argued that these impairments lead to the development of psychopathy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2557-2565 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |
Volume | 363 |
Issue number | 1503 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 12 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Amygdala
- Psychopathy
- Venromedial perfrontal cortex
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)